Second half, here we go!

My April to June summed up in one image: did lots of exploring outside my comfort zone

And just like that, we're halfway through the year! The second quarter was such a whirlwind for me, with almost no time to take a breather. No complaints, though; the last three months were filled with lots of adventures and opportunities for stretching myself.

Much of last quarter was about learning new skills and figuring out what I wanted to do next with my art career. I completed classes on self-promotion and marketing, passion projects, portfolio building, and even attended a workshop on portraiture. The future's looking clearer and clearer by the minute.

I also got to travel several times during the last couple of months. I flew to Dubai for the first time to attend the -Ing Creative Festival. I met a lot of cool artists there and it was really eye-opening to witness the art and design scene there. I must admit, though, that Dubai was a bit of a culture shock for me, but thanks to old and new friends who showed me around, I got to appreciate this city. I will find time to write more in-depth about my experience there in the future.

I also got to visit Taipei, Taiwan for the second time. I went on a solo trip there two years ago, but this time I was with my sister and some of our friends from Common Room, a collaborative shop for makers I am part of. We hit up all the art hubs and creative parks, and it was a fun to share that experience with fellow artists and makers. My sister and I also got to attend a Taiwanese wedding ceremony! Don't worry, I am working on a lengthy post about that trip, too. :)

One of the best parts for me was starting my Instagram Stories Q&A series. I didn't expect the response to it to be so positive. I thought it was just going to be a short series with 5-7 questions, but it has continued on until the present. I see it as my way of giving back to a community that has given me so much support and feedback throughout my journey.

Let me just say that the reason why I am writing this entry is to ward off my anxiety for Global Talent Search hahaha! I joined this worldwide illustration competition because I wanted to push myself creatively, and I worked on my entry from the end of June to last weekend. My July so far has been about this contest, and the semifinal results will be released tomorrow. Whether I get in or not (hoping for the former!!!), I know that the second half of my year will be filled with more art and more new experiences. Bring it on!